Dry-pipe valve.



$0-, Bai- GAMER bhv PIRE vAL'vE. APPucA'Tlun' hun 1An.261s14.

Patntea July 4,/1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.;

C. B. GARRET-T.

- DRY PIPE VALVE. APPucArloN mfp mms, w14.

Patented my 4', 191@ 3 minuto/L @vi/Messen c. B. www,

DRY 'PIPE Ilm/E.A vAPPLICATION FILED IAN,26I 1914.

1 ,189,805., mmm Juli 4,1916. 3 SHEETS-'f'.sngfla, I

I um

/fggi ,valve prin'izirily onnioe oonieonn'rron on OHIO.

D-.FIPE VALVE.

.magnum-nm Speooe-tien of Letters etent.

eppueauee ined January se, 1914.

To all Le/lum t may numero.'

Be it known that I, CHARLES Gmuurrr, s citizen of the United States, und residing et Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and Stets-ef Ohio, hztve invented a new anni Lmproverl llrv -Pipey Valve, or" Whiehgthe following specification s full disclosure.

My invention relatesto a. dry pipe fire eX- tinguishing system und valve known as the dry pipe valve, Which is en automatic device designed, to hold haelt the water until the air pressure in the systern has lloeen reiiuoecl es by` its escape through the opening of @sprinkler head.

rhe invention is to provide a dry pipe of struightwey type, having a water chock vulve, und `un air check valve axially disposed, one shove the other, en in termediute chamber between seid vulves under atmospheric pressure when the device as e unit is set or in normalI operative position und is known as un Fair-pot. The Water cheek valve is seated umler s regulated pressure and released hy trip mechanism controlled by differential pressure in the-extinguislfier system und non-uii'ectefl hv the Water check valve seating' pressure. The Weiter cheek valve, therefore, may hure a seating tension upplied'thereto three times greater 'then any urohnhle water pressure 'without increasing to u material, extent the sensi-n or pressure l Without reon the trij'ipinjr meolmnism, quiring nu increase in the normal oir pres sure in the system. Thus, the release or trip of the Water circolil vulve is effected u definite 'inll of the tem, irrespective of the tension or pressure required to sont the Water check vulve against the Water pressure beneath it.

Therefore, un object of the invention is to provideA u vurielole pressure for seating the water ehecir 'valve practically invariable as to its sui/rhinitis release Another oliieot of in v invention is to provide e dry pipe vulve. with e Water check vulve und un air olie/ell: vulve having their seat openings in unisi uliueinenu A sys tem of levers, for seating; seid Water olieei: valve under un excessive pressure, .und an auxiliary air vulve for tripping said lever s vstern clefinitelv governe as to its release, io automsticullv release the pressure on seid water check valve after u preeterniineti reiuction in the air pressure in the 'tire en tinguishing particularly to the a hand-hole cover su auxilio-rv cheek valve in what diete chamber het yeen the Water and zur sir pressure inthe sila l oi the dry Patented J'uiy 51916, semi no. eigene.

system-to which Athe 'dry pipe valve is connected, is provided.

Another object of iny invention is to pro viele a system oi levers orfiever structure of such character Wlierehy'e, sudden impulse of so a` preponderance oi water pressure or Water hammer will not impair the Water cheek valve or accidentally vtrip it. The tensioning of the levers bye bend Wheel operated, screw, providing a rapid, powerful and con- 55 venient adjustment for producing e pressure upon the Water Check 'valve capable of resisting three tinies any probable Water pressure encountered in servies, is. aeeon1 plished by the mere application of a per- 7G sons hand and without the aid of en aus@ iliary appliance not u component of the lever I ystem.

Another object of my invention is to pro vid-e nonanechanicul means functioning in- 'Z3 inerenti); with the insertion or removal of or flange of the intermeeheck valves in one instance to indicate the i condition of the system as to Whether it has S0 been properly drained before resetting the', dry pipe' vulve, und second, making it' oompulsory to replace the cover 'before the evs teni can he restored to norma-l, or so mein tained under the proper air pressure. i P Another. objeet of my inventionis to pron vide e correietion between the veri lus' eleJ ments of the drjv' pipe valve .rendering engr one. of them indispensable to assemblage, which also renders certain functions or op- 9e erations imperative to e proper resetting of the valve, after tripping, thereby prevenu ing erroneous assemblage and insuring e proper restoration of the system to normal. Other objects of my invention rele-te to 95 the eonstruo'cion of the Water cheek velve,' air check' valve, auxiliary' air valve, and va :rions other components of the dry pipe valve as afennit, when nseci as en automatic ap plience for lire protection, suiief-guerrieri Mii against negligence in :i setting' or resettin pipe 'valve or the negligence es' to the performance of eert-ein steps .or omisu sion of parts which might impairthe op# erotii'eness of the system. i v i Other objeets'will be in part obvious the annexed drawings and in part indicated infv connection therewith by the folioiving analysis of this invention.-

This .invention accordingly' consists inthe lll@ i features of construction, combination of parts, and arrangement of elements deducible herefrom, and in the unique relation of the members and in the relative proportioning thereof; all as more completely outlined' herein.

To enable others skilled in the art so fully to comprehend the underlying features thereof that they may embody the same by similar section as tha eef numerous modifications in structure, relation, steps and sequence thereof conteinplated y this invention, drawings depicting a preferred form and Iin such reference departs throughout all the drawings, like characters of note corresponding views, of which :e

Figure 1 is a central vertical section through the dry pipe valve, illustrating the parts in their set position. Fig. 2 is a of Fig. 1, illustrating tripped or released positransverse section, taken Fig. 4 is a top plan View of the water check valve. Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the air trip valve. I

The use of the term valve or dry pipe valve herein refers to or should be defined as meaning the structure as a unit, While those elements qualifying as valves, will be specilically denominated to avoid confusion.

The valve consists of thev main body or vcasing 1 interposed between and forms a the parts in their tion. Fig. 3 is a on line 3, 3, Fig. 1.

art of a vertical conduit or riser 2 of the .P

lire extinguishing system and provides an intermediate chamber 3, open to the atmosphere, when the valve isset or normal. The body is formed with three valve seat equipped` openings, el, 5, 6. 4l represents the water intake or inlet, and 5 the water outlet from the valve to the system. rlhe opening G leads to the atmosphere and provides a passage for entry into the intermediate chamber, in the connecting elements of the lever system, which opening is automatically sealed when the valve is tripped or when the water passes through the system. The valve may be designated as a straightway valve, in that the water inlet and outlet openings are in vertical axial alinement and preferablj.' installed with the inlet at thel base so as to have all water supply enter the system from below the valve. rEhe straightway feature through the valve is important so as to minimize the pressure friction losses and to keep this passage clear when the valve is tripped. The various check valves and controlling levers or elements move in a direction with the flow of the water so that their functioning is aided by the pressure of the water and thereby ol'er no interference or resistance to impede the Water liow. IThe straightway principle and maintaining its clearance'in operation of the system, isa factor com- -prised in the novel features have been annexedas a part of this disclosure,

`of swing type hingedly of this invention.

rlhe water Ainlet check or clapper valve 7, and its hingedly mounted arm 8, herein illustrated, are of the preferred construction, to improve the construction of similar elc-v ments shown and described in my prior U. S. Letters Patent No. 831,054, dated September 18, 1906, and No. 865,880, dated September '10, 1907. The water inlet valve 7 is loosely mounted upon the arm 8, which is fulcrumed upon a bearing Sl, withiu the intermediate chamber, and at one side of the valve seat'ojicning el.. The wall or the body of the casing 17 opposite the valve, is recessed to receive the valve and its arm when swung totheir open or tripped position, to position the same beyond the scat openino', so as not to obstruct the flow of the water and also to prevent the valve automatically closingwhen it has been moved to its complete open position. rlhc casing` or body l is provided with a stop lug 10, which is engaged by the arm 8, when swung to its abnormal position. The valve is centrally provided with an adjusting screw 11, having a concaved head to receive the convex head of the boss 12 projected from the arm 8, forniing a knuckle connection for flexibly or hingedly i'nounting the valve to theI arm so that the sealing pressure from the lever system is broughtr axially upon the valve equalizing the pressure annulai'ly upon the seat. This also provides means for adjusting the bearing point or surface 12 of the arm or rocking lever 8 relative to its compression lever, so as to bring the arm hearing surface to a definite location or position after refacing the metal packing ring 13.

The contour of the adjusting screw 11, seo Fig. al, is of polygonal form, adapted to be engaged within a correspondingly shaped recess of the boss 1l projected from the split nut-lock member 15, removably secured to lic he upper surface of the valve 7, by the Jews 1G. The nut-,lock member 4is concentrically apertuied to receive the shank portion of the boss l2 in securing the valve to the arm or rocking lever 8. `The init-lock 3 1 member therefore provides a gland for connecting the valve and rocking lever and a lock for thc screw. The usc of all parts is essential for a proper setting of the valve and cannot be dispensed with or erroneously la applied.

The water outlet or air check valve 17 is mounted upon a fulcrumedbearing, positioned upon one side of the seat opening 5, with provision made in the casing 1 to permit the valve to swing rearwardly beyond its vertical center of gravity to prevent its automatic closing when once completely opened. As an initial safeguard,

the valve is weighted towardj messes,

its fulcrum. Thus, after the valve has been opened by the Water pressure suflhicientlyto throw it to a vertical position, `the Weight is suflicient to overcomeA any balance, and thereby cause the valve to fall backward against the casing, rendering it compulsory to manually resent the valve. lt valso places the valve in a position beyond the Water pas-- `sage or course. This'also renders compulsory draining of the system `before resetting. The casing above the valve is provided with a hand-hole and cover flange -18 for access to the valve. This valve is not encuinbered with any lever connections, an ,auxiliary valve being' provided for controlling the tripping ofv the Water check` valve, and is normally held `to its seat by the air pressure in the system above the same. It is an object in the design of this invention to reduce to a minimum inovingelements Within the dry pipe valve `proper for clearance pur-- poses; to produce 'a :tree water passage.

The intermediate chamber 3 is accessible through the handhole 19, sealed by thecover flange 20. p

Dry pipe systems are primarily installed in buildings which cannot be properly heated, or exposed to the Weather, Which neces` sitates proper draining,r of the system before setting' or resetting ofthe valve to avoid freezing. The resetting is manually accomplished bv access` into the intermediate chamber upon` the lremoval, of the cover ange`20. This would not be practical if the system were not drained and the air check valve opened for the water in the system would escape through the handliole 19, in fact, the mere loosening of the cover flange would capse a` leakage of Water and indicate to the 'operator that he had failed to previously drain the system. l have provided additional Water indicator means et festive upon loosemng or removing the co ver flange 20, should instances occur wherein the `vater pressure vwas not Great enough to fully open the air ycheck valve 17 and permit its automatic reseating, sealing against any reverse ilo'W of theivaterlin the system. This accomplish in a unique manner without the aid of auxiliary mechanical appliances, and wl ich is positive and never failing: in its ae tion. Its .functioning is inherent with the 'removal andv insertion of the cover flange,

20, which mustbe removed before the Water check salve and lever system can he reset, :ind must be securely'applied before the. sus tem can be put under air pressure. Its secure application is essential to avoid -ivater leakage when the system :in operation and made impera-tive under normal conditions to prevent the escape of air, iior such air escape would require a constant operation of the air pump to the expense of the owner. These advantages are accomplished 'in proyviohng a passage'Zl, see Fig, lncoinrnuni rthe intermediate chamber.

cation with the system at the base of the priming chamber 21'Ll of the dry pipe valve, independent of the air cliecl; valve seat open ing or air check valve, or it may be said that the passage communicates with the base of that portion of the sprinkling Lystein cnlining air under pressure. This passage leads downwardly/and forwardly above the kintermediate chamber and terminates with the plane surface receiving' the cover flange of the intermediate chamber 3 and its control had by the coi'erilange, which projects beyond the hand-hole 19, utilizing an intemediate air chamber 3, l provide a rocking lever 22, one end pivotally mounted between the wall of an offset portion of the casing l and 'ulcrumed upon a pin 23, secured Within the Walls of the casing. The lever 22 is proided with a strut. 2i adapted the free end oi lever 8. of the lever 22`has a connected. therewith, normal conditions en ing ,6.a The valve also is provided With the opposingly projected ears 26, 26, the ear 26 pivotally connected to the lever 22, and the ear 2Ga pivotally connected with the 'strut 27, which projects throughl the opening to the atmosphere of The surface of the valve 25 adjacent the lever 22 isot convex form, adapted to be received by a correspondingly curved concave surface of the lever 22. This provides for suiiicient resiliency of the valve for its proper self-seating and .functions as a knuckle-joint when the valve functions asa link in thelever system to relieve the ulcruni pin of. undue pressure. The strutQ? is of peculiar construction tootler strength and rigidity, and its free end is weighted by a lug' projection 28 which also serves as a guide and support to center the i strut with Athe hand operatedl screw 29, screw-threaded upon and projected interniediutely through tlie setting' lever 30, exterior of the intermediate chamber. The oud of the screw 29 has a socketed engagement with the end of the strut27, which is provided `with a concave recess for free separation of the elements `when the leversys tern is collapsed ortripped. The fulcruiu end 3l of the set-ting lever 30 is provided to engage W1th isc .with a sector-shaped aperture for receiving the knife edged fulcrum piny 32 secured to rthe exterior of the intermediate chamber ror easing` 'l to provide a scale bearing for the lever. The opposite end of the lever is provided with a knuckle adapted to cngage with an inclined surface' 33 lof the weighted lever 3l, said weighted lever being pivotally mounted upon the exterior of the easing. vrl`hc fulerum end of'the weighted lever 34 is forked, with the setting lever engaged between the limbs thereof, which secures the kfree end of said setting lever against lateral moven ent.

ieetion 2H serving as a bumper .and limits the release movement. The setting lever 30 is also provided with a. lug 3G adapted to engage with an opposing lug- 3G projecting from the easing to resist an)7 flexing tendency of the settinglever when applying the vater cheek valve seating pressure, but which does not oppose any collapsing movement of the lever system when tripped. lt also insures the proper registry of screw and strut, safe vguarding against any inappropriate relative positioning of the elements in resetting due to the loose fulcrum of the setting lever 30.

It will be observed that by the compound system of leverage, namely, levers 8 and 22,

fthe power of force required at the free end of lever 22 to exert three times the probable water pressure againzfxty the water check valve is comparatively small and in proportion to about one to sixteen. This is again reduced by the `correlation between the setting lever and weighted lever to relieve the Iweighted lever and make it co1nparativelyi awconstantk factor in its governor-like action for its definite tripping function. Thus on Vone side of the weighted lever. with said lever regarded as an intermediary of the system of leverage, we havefa delinite and approximate invariable condition, while on the other side an indenite and variable condition in pressure. That is, the air-pressure is maintained at a fixed or definite degree,.usually thirty pounds to thc square inch, whereupon it is desirable to trip the lever mechanism when the air-pressure in the system falls or is reduced to about eleven pounds per square inch. Therefore, being a definite factor, it may be said to be invariable for the purposes y herein. On the other hand, the service presniet sure varies in different localities and alsok at times in the same locality, and the watercheclrvalve'unit must withstand the various pressures "in its sealed condition and not cause a tripping of'the valve. With my system oill rage, such variable conditions in service'p'i ssure have comparatively no in-l fluence uponp'the weighted lever to 'make any perceptible change in its functioning at a n proper interval upon a fall or decrease ,of air pressure in the system. Infact, the conl`he weighted' lever 3l is provided with a transverse profv struction of thecoupling between the setting Y lever and the weighted lever and the reverse forceof the valve seating pressure, tendsto assist in the release rather than to retard the saine. This enables a very accurate setting and one that can be relied upon and enables the provision of adry-pipe valve for universal use, 4irrespective of the water pressure encountered inservice.l The operator, yin ref.

setting thevalve, is not called upon to make f any delicate adjustments, the screw 29 being the only adjustable element operated and this cannot be excessivelyadjusted to disturb y the. tripping mechanism ortensioned beyond va maximum point. y p

The lever 22 is positionedso that it will fall by gravity toward the opening to the atinospliere of the intermediate chamberin the collapsing movement of the system of levers whereby the opening will be closed by the flying valve 25, should water pressure not ber present underneath the water-check valve/8. The lever is also limited iii its forward or pressure imparting movement by the rod 37`- supported withinrthe casing whichk cannot be removed and must bei in place when the cover fiange is secured in position, see F ig; 3.

The means v"for providing non-removability of the yrod 37 comprises a head 37a of larger diameter than the rod, with the core in one wall of the ycasing of a diameter only to receivethe rod, while the opposing wall" the body or casing 1, or may form an integral part thereof. It is provided with a removable cover 40, and at its lowerportion with a valve seat ,equipped opening 41, and a trip valve 43. The chamber 42 of the airpot is in communication with the air-chamber above the air-check valve through the' piping 44 to establish an equilibrium in pressure between said chambers. This disposes the air-pot assubsidiary to .the dry` pipe -valve to maintainA itsstraight Way `0I' course and places all tripping or controlling parts outside of the casing 1, for the lesser number 0I' movable parts'l within the casing,

tions, inspecting and approving devices of this class, but its ,subsidiary position is@y one iio An air-pot 39 is securely supported upon' reduces the possibility" of clogging the valve kor 'impeding the flow of thewaten. Sueli` feature lfinds favor with insurance organiza;-

insonne of choice and not strictly material to the operation of the device, and therefore do not Wish to be limited thereto, except as particularly set forth in the claims. The. air trip valve could be in direct communication with the air chamber of the dry-pipe valve Within the province of this invention,l The air trip valve 43 is pivotally supported Within the chamber 42., in a preferred manner, to provide an equalized` or substantially uniform movement annularly in itsopening movement. It is provided upon its upper 4surface vvith the arms 46 slotted to receive the pin 46 fixed inthe Walls of the air-pot which enables the valve to move vertically in ahorizontal plane upon its fulcrum when raised under the influence of the Weight beneath until the pin is engaged by the limb 45 fixed to the valve intermediate the arms 46, Wherefore the valve will swing upon its fulorum. Such mounting to the valve pro-l duces a compound action, that of raising and swinging to bring about the trigger release of lever 49 Within a limited movement of the valve, to allow the end ofthe arm 48 ofthe lever49 to swing beyond the end of the inger47. The end of the lever 'arm and linger is formed With opposing catch projections toV prevent a resetting of the lever Without manually raising the valve. The manual raising of the valve is a quali ication imposed to 'compel a removal of the cap which serves to impliedly remind the operator that inspection of the valve seat is a requirement for each' resetting.

The lower' surface of `the valve 43 is provided` with a depending `trigger finger 47 'norrnally engaged with the arm 48 of the 40 trip lever 49, which is pivot-ally mounted upon the base of the airy-pot. The opposite arm of the trip lever 49 normally engaged With a connecting rod 5l. The opposite end of said rod` is pivotally ,connected tothe Weight 53 of the Weighted lever 34. The connection is made by forming aneye in the connecting rod, engaging Thus, Whenever the air pressure in the system is reduced to a predetermined degree'from the opening f of a. sprinkler head, or equivalent escape, it

`permits the trip valve to raise `under the influence of the Weight 53, overcoming the air pressure Within the system. The valve moves sufficiently topermit the "arm 48 of the lever-49 to disengage from 'thevalve trip linger 47.V This willv cause adescending movement of the Weighted end ofthe lever, disengaging from the connecting' rod, so as to require manual resetting after tripping. The collapsing of the trippingv elements from their serial connection releases the air trip valve, so as to permit 1t to lmmedlately or quickly reseat itself by gravity, before the influence of the service pressure reaches it, so as to have the same seal has a hook end 50A invention that others can by rent knowledge readily against a leakage of water.

Valve setting or rescliiag--The valve is set or reset by first draining the system, provision for draining being provided usui0 ally1 through a pipe communicating through 'y the casing of the dry pipe valve above the port of the air check valve l?, a pipe 54 for such purposes being illustrated in Fig. 3. rlhis is an essentiel requirement in dry pipe systems, for no Water must be contained .in the system above a primingpoint to insure against freezing. e rlfhis initial. draining is made imperative by reason of the passage 2l having its exit sealed by the cover-dange :20. The cover-flange must be removed be fore access can be had tothe Water check valve which can `only be manually closed. After the system has been properly drained.` the cover-liange 20 is removed and the air check valve 17 seated and likewise ,the water-check valve. rlhe cover-plate 4) of the air-pot is also removed so that the valve 43 can be .sufficiently raised so as to permit the tripping lever 48 to be engaged beneath the linger 47, This positions the valves, Whereu'ponsthe cover plates are replaced, and priming 'Water poured into the valve above the air check valve 17 to a requisite bei .ht called for under insurance regulations. he air-pump of the sprinkler system is then put into operation to raise the required air` pressure Within the` system, which seats the trip valve 43 under pressure excessive of the' Weight or tripping pressure of the tripping mechanism. The compression lever 24 .is then swungv from the exterior of the valve to engage with the lever 8, moving the strut member 27 in position to engage with the screw 29, after which lever 30 is normalized and held in position by the Weighted lever 34 in swinging the latter upward and reengaging the connecting rod 5l with the tripping lever 4 9.

The hand-operated screw 2i) is then adjusted to bring the proper pressure on the Water check `valveto seal the saine under an excessive pressure over the probable Water pressure in the service supply. i

It will be noted that the various elements of my dry pipe valve are designed to saj'e- Y guard against careless resetting or ythe omission of parts inresetting, which might lead to an iinprpper functioning of the valve and therebyreduce its eiiiciency as a fire protec l2@ tion appliance.

Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of this applying our? adapt it for various .125 applications yWithout omitting certain features that, from the standpoint of the prior art, fairly constitute essential. characteris tics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention, and therefore such adaptations'130 therefor to provide aniintermediate chamshould and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalency. of the following claims. l,

Havingthus described my invention, I

claim as new and desire to secure by Letters- Patent of the United .States 1- 1. Aedevice of the nature disclosed, combining a casing forming a part of the conduit of a fire extinguishing system divided by valve-seat-equipped openings and valves ber, said chamber having a valve-seateq'uipped opening to the atmosphere, a lever Within said chamber fulcrumed upon said casing swingingby gravity toward said opening to the atmosphere, and adapted to v forciblyseat one of said valves, and means unitedr with said lever through said opening to the atmosphere for controlling said lever, including a valve to seal said opening'during the valve releasing position of said lever.

2. A 'device'of the nature disclosed combining a casing forming a part of the conduit of a lireextinguishing system, having a valve-seat-equipped opening as a service entrance and a valve therefor, a valve-seatn equipped opening to the atmosphere,va lever within said casing forforcibly seating said entrance valve, and a Avalve moving with said lever forsealing said opening to the atmosphere, said lever, when free, moving by gravity toward said opening to the at-v inosphere to automatically seal its valve.

3'. A. device of the nature'disclosed cornbining a casing forming a part ofthe oo nduit of a fire extinguishing -system having a valve-seat-equipped opening for service entrance, a valve therefor, a pair of oppositely disposed levers, one Within the casing adapted at its f'ulcrum end to abuttingly engage with said valve for seatingthe'same under pressure, and the second normallyl yconfined against movement, strut elements intermediate rsaid levers, and hand operated means therefor for varying the distance between saidflevers to regulate the pressure j adjustable to vary the distance between said levers to apply a regulated pressure upon said entrance valve, anda valve for sealing j said opening to the atmosphere upon release of lever pressure upon said entrance' valve.

a single lever fulcrumed within the casing `tervening said lever and confined member,

lloining a. casing forming extinguishing' system equipped openings, one opening to the at- .125

a valve for each respective opening, a lever 5. 'A vdevice of thenatur'e disclosed c'ombining a casing forming a part of a ire exvalve-seat-` l equipped openings, one to the atmosphere.

and asecond'for service entrance, a valve 'I0 tinguishing system, having for said service opening, a lever for supporting and bridging said valve, a pair of levers, one Within the ca sing adapted to engage said bridge lever and swinging byv gravity toward said opening to the atmosphere, and the second lever exterior` of the casing normally confined against movement, strut elements intervening said levers projected through said opening to the atmosphere adjustable to vary thedistance be# tween saidlevers to apply a regulated pressure upon said service-entrance valve, :and a valve for said first-named lever for sealing said opening to the 'atmosphere' upon release of service entrance valve,

6. Adevice of the nature disclosed combining a casing forming a part of ka ,-ire

eXtinguish/ingsystem, having valve-seat equipped openings, one to the atmosphere and the second for service entrance, valves therefor moving'y for relative alternate opening and closing of their respective openings, a single lever fulcrumed Within said casing for forcibly seating said second valveand supporting a valve for said opening tothe atmosphere, a normally confined 'member opposing said lever Aand strut elements in-i tervening said lever and confined member,r having a hand operated` screw for movingsaid lever in a valve pressure applying direction and unseating said atmosphere open-'jA ing valve. 7 A device of the nature disclosed combining a casing forming a part of a fire extinguishing' system, having valve-seat-y equipped openings, one to the atmosphere and the second for service entrance, valves therefor moving `for relative alternate openf ing and closing of their respective openings,

for forcibly seating said second valve and supporting ya valve for said. opening to the atmosphere, a normally confined member opposing said lever and strut elements inhaving a hand operated screw for moving Asaid lever lin a valve pressure applying direction and unseating said atmosphere opening valve, and means for collapsing said strut element for an alternate valve control.y

8. A device ef the nature disclosed coma part of a re aving valve-seatinosphere and the second a service entrance,

fulcrumd Within said casing providing "a- 'swinging support for thefvalve controllin said `opening to the atmosphere, and adapte to engage the service entrance' valve yfoi-',130-

iis

, interveningbetween a normally rigid abutment and said lever having a handVL operated forcibly seating the same', and strut elements screw for movingsaid lever and to apply its pressure to-said valve, and `means for coll lapsing said strut elements to reverse the control ofsaid valve'openings. c h

9. A device yof the nature disclosed' combining .a casing forming a part of a iire ex'- tinguishing system, a valve therein, and means for normally seating said valve under pressure, comprising a lever` fulcrumed to saidvalve engaging lever, between the ful- V crum and forward end of said lever, and

between said relatively lopposite levers Afor swinging said second lever, and means for releasing said conned lever to collapse said strut element to release said valve.

10. A.device of the nature disclosed com` bining a casing forming a partof a lire extinguishing system, u vilve therein, and means for normally seating said valve under pressure comprising a leverfulcrumed to swing across said valve andaxially-engage v the same, a pair of .opposite levers, the first vnormallyconined against movement, and

- 1 the second Vengaged with the free end of .said valve engaging lever between vthe ful,

' crum and .forward end of said'lever', and

f means automatically controlled by the pressure within said casing for releasing said normally confined lever'and valve.

11. In a device of the naturedisclosed,*av

casing forming apartofa lire extinguishing system, an inlet valve for normallyholding back'the servicesupply, a lever within the casing for bridging and axially support- .ing lsaidvalve, a second lever within the casing adapted to engage said rst lever, and a third lever normally conlined againstI movement, `hand-operated Vtension means, intermediate said second and third levers, a weighted lever having an inclined abutment vfor confnin i said lever, and air controlled means for ho ding and releasing said weight- -ed lever to release said confined leverr and valve of its ,lever tension.- s 12. A valve for a sprinkler system, coinf prising a casing havingawater inlet for connecting with the water-intake pipe, Aa yalve for said inlet, anl opposing pair of levers-in approximate parallelism, one fulcrumed within said casingconnecting with said in-l Vlet valve, and the second exterior of the casing normally confined against movement, expansible strut devices -projecting through said casing connecting said levers'for applying pressure upon said inlet valve, and valve and lever mechanism influenced by the pre-v vailing pressure within the system Ifor hold-g ing and releasing said first-named levers.

13.. A. valve'for a sprinkler system, comprising a casing having a" water inlet for connecting with the water service pipe, a

valve for coveringfsaid inlet, an opposing pair of levers fulcrumed at, relative opposite' en'ds, one fulcrumed within said casing conexterior of the casing, expansible strut devices projecting through said casing connecting saidlevers for applying pressureA upon said inlet valve, Vand valve and lever mechanism influenced by the prevailing c nectingvwith said inletv valve, and the second l screw-actuated strut .elements intervening f pressure within the systemincludinga lever having an inclined abutment adapted to be engaged by the exterior lever of said rstnamed pair of levers; for setting and releasing said first-named levers.

14. A valve for a sprinkler system com'- prising a casing having ia Vwater inlet port connecting with the water inlet pipe, a valve therefor, a pair ofy levers in approximate parallelism, and oppositely fulcrumed, one Within the casing and connecting with said valve, and the second exterior thereof, `a

strut and hand operated screwv devices connecting said levers' throughsaid casing .for separating said levers and applyingseating pressure tosaid valve, and means for automatically releasing said levers.

15. A valve for a sprinkler system comprising a casing having a wate'rinlet portv connecting with the inlet pipe, .a valve there-A, for, opposing levers, one within the casing connecting with said valve and thesecond exterior 'of the casingv normally coniined ,againstmovementa and strut and exteriorly accessible hand operated'screvvr devicesr sep-v arably connectingsaid levers 'for functioning said interior lever to apply a seating pressure to said valve.v A' 1" Tn witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe inynaine, as attested by the two subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES B.`GARRETT. Vlitnesses: v

' A.B. Gonne B. P.' WALKER. 

